Competing in Europe takes toll - Speed

GARY Speed claims there are drawbacks to playing in Europe, as Bolton discovered to their cost last season. Wanderers have three games left to ensure a UEFA Cup place but they travel to Chelsea on Saturday with a depleted squad.

GARY Speed claims there are drawbacks to playing in Europe, as Bolton discovered to their cost last season.

Wanderers have three games left to ensure a UEFA Cup place but they travel to Chelsea on Saturday with a depleted squad.

"It was disappointing this season when you saw the likes of Blackburn and Spurs playing in Europe and we weren't there," said the evergreen Welshman.

"But it took its toll on our squad at the end of the season when we slipped up in the league.

"Our squad couldn't cope with playing so many games. Hopefully, if we do get into Europe again, we will be better equipped to deal with it and also to do better in the league.

"I'm sure the manager will try to address the situation. But we've got to get in there first and we are not counting our chickens."

Bolton representatives are said to have run the rule over 23-year-old Hibernian left back David Murphy.

Varying degrees

It's been a problem position all season and filled with varying degrees of success by Ricardo Gardner, Tal Ben Haim and Henrik Pedersen. Wanderers are thought to have seen the former Middlesbrough defender in action during Tuesday's Scottish Cup semi-final replay defeat by Dunfermline.

And Bolton have also been linked with Seydou Keita, an attacking midfielder with French club Lens. Inter Milan are also thought to be monitoring the Mali star.

Bolton are celebrating their first Barclays Premiership Reserve League North title.

A sixth successive victory and defeat for City against Sheffield United ensured they finished ahead of the Blues and previous leaders United.